BOUNTIFUL – One of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers own members, J. Alden Richins, will be the speaker at the Centerville chapter’s regular March dinner meeting.

Richins will bring history to life as he tells of the Utah War and the events that took place in Echo Canyon, according to the chapter newsletter.

The meeting will be held March 4 at the Wight House, 85 N. Main, Bountiful, at 6:30 p.m. Cost of the meal is $12.50. Non-members who would like to attend should call 801-292-2634 for reservations.

Richins, along with four other Centerville men met 24 years ago to organize the Centerville chapter of the SUP. It was chartered on March 5, 1992. Twenty-two men joined at that time, according to the newsletter.

Richins has since served as president, and is currently the trainer and historian.

He grew up in Henefer, that is less than six miles from the Echo Canyon fortifications he will be speaking about. Those fortifications are on property once owned by his grandfather, Alma E. Richins.

He has always been interested in the canyon, and while attending Brigham Young University, Richins wrote three research papers on it.

After serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint to northern California, Richins served in the Army during the Korean War.

He graduated from BYU with a doctorate in education and counseling and guidance. He was a teacher and administrator with the LDS seminaries and institutes for 37 years.

He is married to Dorothy Gean Sabin. The couple has two daughters and three sons, 19 grandchildren and 12-great grandchildren. The couple has lived in Hong Kong, Jerusalem, Johannesburg and Alabama in connection with his work and three missions the couple served together.